CH3AN2-Advanced Analytical Techniques for Inorganic Structure Determination

Module Provider: Chemistry
Number of credits: 10 [5 ECTS credits]
Level:6
Terms in which taught: Autumn / Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2019/0

Module Convenor: Prof Frantisek Hartl

Email: f.hartl@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

The students will gain an understanding of advanced analytical chemical techniques, specifically in the areas of electrochemistry, photoelectron spectroscopy, electron microscopy, vibrational spectroscopy and magnetic resonance.

Aims:

To give the students fundamental understanding of the theoretical background of the advanced analytical methods and their applicability in inorganic, coordination and organometallic chemistry.

Assessable learning outcomes:

Students should be able to:

• Describe and discuss the subject matter of the module and explain the concepts within it.


• Critically examine questions raised in workshops and analyse numerical and other problems.


• Elucidate molecular structure, identity and bonding properties based upon the application of the above techniques.

Additional outcomes:

Students will develop problem-solving and numeracy skills through workshops and use them in critical analysis of available experimental data.

Outline content:

Raman Spectroscopy (4 lectures (2x 2h) + 1 x 2h workshop – autumn term)

Basic theory, contrast with IR spectroscopy. Experimental techniques; special problems. Fourier transform methods.

Photoelectron Spectroscopy and X-ray Fluorescence (3 lectures (1h + 2h) + 1/2 x 2h workshop – spring term)

UV- and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and their role in studying molecular structure and bonding. X-ray fluorescence and its use in elemental analysis; Moseley’s law; portable XRF and it use in fieldwork.

Electron Microscopy (2 lectures (2x 1h) + 1/2 x 2h workshop – spring term)

Concept of resolution in microscopy, diffraction limit. Advantages of electron microscopy. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) - important components, origin of contrast in TEM images, effects of chromatic and spherical aberration and astigmatism. will be explained. Examples of using TEM in solid state chemistry.

Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) - outline of its operation, function of its components. Difference between secondary electrons and backscattered electrons, type of images produced. X-ray microanalysis - introduction to the generation of X-rays, energy-dispersive and wavelength-dispersive types of X-ray spectrometer used in association with SEM. Examples of application of SEM/ X-ray microanalysis in chemistry.

Electrochemical Methods of Analysis (6 lectures (3x 2h) + 1 x 2h workshop – spring term)

Principal types of electrochemical cells. Cyclic voltammetry at microelectrodes and its application in inorganic and coordination chemistry. Electrocatalytic and electrode-catalysed reactions. Potentiometry with ion-selective electrodes.

Multinuclear NMR Spectroscopy (4 lectures (2x 2h) + 1 x 2h workshop – spring term)

NMR spectroscopy of species containing a wide range of NMR-active nuclei. Use of chemical shift and coupling information to solve molecular structure and bonding properties of inorganic and coordination compounds.

ESR Spectroscopy (4 lectures (2x 2h + 1 x 2h workshop – autumn term)

ESR spectroscopy in studying paramagnetic molecules; g and A values; comparison with NMR spectroscopy.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

23 x 1-hour lectures + 10 hours of workshops.

Written test at the end of the spring term (2h), giving students more formal practice at the kind of questions that appear in the final exam.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures	8	15
Seminars	4	6
Guided independent study:	22	45
Total hours by term	34	66
Total hours for module	100

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written exam	80
Class test administered by School	20

Summative assessment- Examinations:
1.5 hours

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

2-hour end of Spring term test

Formative assessment methods:

Students will attend problem solving workshops on the topics covered in the lectures.

Penalties for late submission:
The Module Convener will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day[1] (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;

where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: http://www.reading.ac.uk/web/FILES/qualitysupport/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:
An overall mark of 40%.

Reassessment arrangements:

Reassessment arrangements are in accordance with University policy. Reassessment of the written examination is held during the University-administered re-examination period in August. Failed coursework may be re-assessed by an alternative assignment before or during the August re-examination period.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

Last updated: 15 July 2019